Going private for bloods

[Rocia]

What bloods to go for and do I give results to GP? Also suspected coeliac?

Thanks

[Clutter]

Rocia,

If you know you have autoimmune thyroiditis (Hashimoto's) then TSH, FT4 and FT3 is sufficient.

If you want antibodies too then look at Blue Horizon Thyroid Plus 11 or Medichecks UltraVits. Both also include CRP, ferritin, vitamin D, B12 and folate.

Coeliac screen is tissue transglutaminase. You need to eat 2 meals daily which contain gluten for up to six weeks prior to testing.

It's up to you whether you give a copy to your GP. If you are hoping GP will act on them you will have to.

[Rocia in reply to Clutter]

Thyroid autoantibodies positive whatever that means and I take levo thank you

[Clutter in reply to Rocia]

Rocia,

Not sure why you want private bloods. You've been told on your earlier thread that you are undermedicated and need a dose increase. Your GP should retest 6-8 weeks after increasing dose.

[Rocia in reply to Clutter]

GP refusing to increase

[Rocia in reply to Clutter]

TPO antibodies 679 (<34)

TG antibodies 1100 (<115)

[Clutter in reply to Rocia]

Rocia,

Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) and thyroglobulin (TG) antibodies are positive for autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's). There is no cure for Hashimoto's which causes 90% of hypothyroidism. Levothyroxine treatment is for the low thyroid levels it causes. Many people have found that 100% gluten-free diet is helpful in reducing Hashi flares, symptoms and eventually antibodies.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Rocia in reply to Clutter]

Ferritin was 7 (30 - 400)

Folate 2.1 (2.5 - 19.5)

Vitamin B12 88 (180 - 900)

Vitamin D 14

CRP 35.5 (<5)

[Clutter in reply to Rocia]

Rocia,

What is your GP doing about those results? Vits and minerals are severely deficient and CRP indicates inflammation.

[Rocia in reply to Clutter]

Nothing, that was why I was going to go private

[Clutter in reply to Rocia]

Rocia,

You don't need more blood tests you need treatment for the results above. See another GP at the practice or change GP practice and make sure you write to the practice manager making a formal complaint of your GP's negligence in failing to treat severe mineral and vitamin deficiencies.

Severely deficient ferritin may indicate iron deficiency anaemia. Your GP should do a full blood count and iron panel to check. Treatment is usually 3 x 210mg Ferrous Fumarate. Take each tablet with 1,000mg vitamin C to aid absorption and minimise constipation. Iron should be taken 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

B12 and folate are severely deficient. GP should initiate B12 injections 48 hours prior to you being prescribed 5mg folic acid daily. Investigation should be done as to whether you have pernicious anaemia causing deficiencies. Symptoms are listed in b12deficiency.info/signs-an... healthunlocked.com/pasoc are the experts on PA, B12 and folate defi-ciencies if you need more advice.

Vitamin D is severely deficient. Your GP should refer to local guidelines or the cks.nice.org.uk/vitamin-d-d... Do NOT accept a prescription for 800iu which is a maintenance dose prescribed after vitD is replete >75. My GP prescribed 40,000iu daily x 14 followed by 2,000iu daily x 8 weeks which raised vitD from <10 to 107. Vitamin D should be taken 4 hours away from Levothyroxine.

Given the deficiencies indicate malabsorption it would be a good idea for your GP to test tissue transglutaminase to rule out Coeliac Disease. You need to continue eating gluten in at least 2 meals daily for 6 weeks prior to the Coeliac screen.

[Rocia in reply to Clutter]

Thanks GP says complete blood count was not clinically significant with MCV 78.5 (80 - 98) MCHC 366 (310 - 350) and iron 5.3 (6 - 26) transferrin saturation 11 (12 - 45)

[Clutter in reply to Rocia]

Rocia,

Change your GP. This one obviously can't read or interpret blood tests. The results confirm iron deficiency anaemia and the high MCHC will be connected with the B12 deficiency.

Your GP's ignorance and lack of treatment is seriously comprising your health. Untreated B12 deficiency used to be fatal and although it is rarely fatal now it can cause irreversible neuropathy.